Martha Mirian Brunken was born December 27, 1923 in Hutchinson County to Christ and Emma (Tiede) Freier. She graduated from Tripp High School in 1941. Following graduation she was a bookkeeper for 3 1/2 years at the Tripp Co-op Creamery. On January 30, 1944 she married Don Brunken. They resided in California and Texas while Don served in the US Army. They returned to South Dakota, farming for 23 years. In 1965 they purchased Don’s Place in Delmont. They sold it in 1976 and then purchased Don’s Lounge in Tripp, then selling it in 1983. Don died August 5, 1991. Martha remained in Tripp until December 1995 when she moved to Wesley Acres in Mitchell. On November 18, 2007 she suffered a stroke and became a resident of the Good Samaritan Center in Tripp. Martha loved being with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She taught Sunday School and played the piano for Sunday School and Christmas Programs. She enjoyed music, playing the organ or piano with sheet music or by ear. She loved to decorate her home, spend time gardening, flowers and her plants.
She is survived by her four children: Dwaine (Sharon) Brunken, Sioux Falls; Diane (Jim) Wieting, Eureka, CA; Betty (Miles) Goehring, Pine Haven, WY and Donna (Gene) Hagerty, White Lake; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and four step great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Don and her parents.
